Mechanism of exon ligation by human spliceosome.

Pre-mRNA splicing involves two sequential reactions: branching and exon ligation. The C complex after branching undergoes remodeling to become the C∗ complex, which executes exon ligation. Here, we report cryo-EM structures of two intermediate human spliceosomal complexes, pre-C∗-I and pre-C∗-II, both at 3.6 Å. In both structures, the 3′ splice site is already docked into the active site, the ensuing 3′ exon sequences are anchored on PRP8, and the step II factor FAM192A contacts the duplex between U2 snRNA and the branch site. In the transition of pre-C∗-I to pre-C∗-II, the step II factors Cactin, FAM32A, PRKRIP1, and SLU7 are recruited. Notably, the RNA helicase PRP22 is positioned quite differently in the pre-C∗-I, pre-C∗-II, and C∗ complexes, suggesting a role in 3′ exon binding and proofreading. Together with information on human C and C∗ complexes, our studies recapitulate a molecular choreography of the C-to-C∗ transition, revealing mechanistic insights into exon ligation. [Display omitted] • Cryo-EM structures of two intermediate human spliceosomal complexes • The recognition of 3′SS and 3′ exon prior to exon ligation • Identification of the step II factor FAM192A in pre-C∗ complexes • Recapitulation of a molecular choreography from C to C∗ complex Zhan et al. reported the cryo-EM structures of two intermediate human spliceosomal complexes just prior to exon ligation, pre-C∗-I and pre-C∗-II, revealing the C-to-C∗ transition and mechanistic insights into exon ligation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]